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A doctor and patient discuss heart disease

Can Heart Disease Be Reversed?

Heart disease ,or cardiovascular disease, can lead to heart attack, chest pains, or stroke. The disease affects 1 in 3 people and is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. Fortunately, medical professional believe lifestyle changes such as exercise, diet, and weight management can help prevent and reverse heart disease.

Exercise

High blood pressure puts you at risk for heart disease, and stress is a common cause. Therefore, a good starting point in preventing or reversing heart disease is reducing your stress. Exercise is an excellent source for managing stress. That doesn’t mean you have to spend hours at the gym. Walking for thirty minutes a day or for an hour three times a week is all you need to do to. 

Diet

The biggest lifestyle change required to reverse heart disease is improving your diet. Moderate changes in your diet are good for preventing heart disease, but extreme change is needed for reversing the disease. Reducing your sugar, fat, and sodium intake is one of the best places to start when trying to create a heart-healthy diet. 

Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight decreases your risk of heart disease. A good goal for a healthy weight is a BMI less than 25 and a waist circumference of 35 inches. Meeting this weight goal will help prevent and treat heart disease.

It is important to keep in mind that while sticking to lifestyle changes is part of a smart plan for a healthy heart, so is taking all your medication and consulting regularly with your doctor.

Last Updated: April 18, 2018

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